Living as Exiles: Reflecting Christ in a Hostile World

In a world that increasingly opposes truth and the message of the gospel, followers of Christ are called to live as sojourners and exiles—citizens of heaven whose lives reflect a living hope. This hope is not just a theological concept but a transformative reality that shapes our relationships, our conduct, and our response to authority. The call is to embrace a new behavior, one that abstains from the passions of the flesh and instead pursues honorable conduct among those who do not share our faith. This is not merely about personal morality but about being a visible testimony to the world, so that even those who oppose us might one day glorify God because of the witness they have seen in us.

Submission is a recurring theme—submission to God, to governing authorities, to employers, and within the home. This is not a call to blind obedience or to endure abuse, but rather to a posture of humility and respect that mirrors the example of Christ Himself. Jesus did not come to dominate or overthrow the systems of His day, but to submit, to suffer unjustly, and in doing so, to bring salvation. His submission was not weakness but strength, and it is this example that believers are called to follow.

Within the home, the biblical pattern of male headship and female submission is not about superiority or inferiority, but about order and mutual accountability. Husbands are called to lead with understanding, honor, and sacrificial love, recognizing their wives as co-heirs of the grace of life. Wives are called to submit willingly, not as an act of subjugation, but as an act of worship to God. Abuse and domination have no place in this vision; rather, both husband and wife are accountable to one another and to God.

Ultimately, the challenge is to let our words, actions, and attitudes reflect Christ in every sphere of life. Whether facing unjust treatment at work, disagreeing with government policies, or navigating the complexities of family life, the call is to live in such a way that the world sees Christ in us. This is how we shine as lights, how we bear witness to the living hope we possess, and how we invite others to experience the transforming power of the gospel.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Living as Exiles with a Living Hope Christians are called to see themselves as sojourners and exiles in this world, with their true citizenship in heaven. This perspective shapes how we respond to cultural opposition and personal hardship, reminding us that our hope is anchored in something eternal, not in the shifting sands of society. Our conduct, therefore, should reflect the reality of our new identity and the hope we have in Christ, even when it is difficult or countercultural. [41:11]
• 2. Honorable Conduct as a Witness The way we live among those who do not share our faith is a powerful testimony. By abstaining from reactionary passions and maintaining honorable conduct, we provide a living example that can silence critics and draw others to Christ. Our integrity and restraint, especially under pressure, can be the very means by which God brings others to repentance and faith. [47:03]
• 3. Submission to Authority as an Act of Worship Submission to governing authorities and employers is not about endorsing injustice or relinquishing discernment, but about trusting God’s sovereignty and following Christ’s example. Even when authorities are unjust, our respectful endurance is a gracious thing before God and a profound act of worship. This posture does not mean passivity in the face of abuse, but a willingness to endure hardship for the sake of Christ, knowing that our ultimate allegiance is to Him. [59:28]
• 4. The Redemptive Power of Christlike Submission Jesus’ submission to unjust suffering was not merely an example but the means of our salvation. By entrusting Himself to the One who judges justly, He bore our sins and healed us spiritually. When we follow in His steps—responding to mistreatment with grace and entrusting ourselves to God—we participate in His redemptive work and display the gospel’s power to a watching world. [62:27]
• 5. Mutual Accountability and Honor in the Home Biblical roles within marriage are not about hierarchy for its own sake, but about mutual accountability, honor, and partnership. Husbands are to lead with understanding and sacrificial care, while wives are called to submit willingly as an act of worship to God. Abuse, domination, or neglect have no place in this vision; both husband and wife are co-heirs of God’s grace, and their relationship should reflect the dignity and equality bestowed by their Creator. [71:47]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:45] - A Hard Pill to Swallow: The Challenge of Today’s Passage
• [03:10] - Increasing Opposition to Truth in Our Culture
• [06:00] - Living Hope and the New Family of God
• [09:00] - A Call to New Behavior Before God
• [12:00] - Sojourners and Exiles: Our True Citizenship
• [15:00] - Abstaining from Passions of the Flesh
• [18:00] - Honorable Conduct Among Outsiders
• [21:00] - Submission to Authorities: God’s Design
• [25:00] - The Purpose and Limits of Government
• [29:00] - Enduring Unjust Treatment at Work
• [33:00] - Christ’s Example of Submission and Suffering
• [37:00] - Submission and Honor in Marriage
• [41:00] - Mutual Accountability and the Grace of Life
• [45:00] - Living Words, Living Witness: Reflecting Christ in All Things

Bible Reading

1 Peter 2:11–3:7 (ESV) —
> 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
> 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
> 13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme
> 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.
> 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.
> 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.
> 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
> 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.
> 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.
> 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.
> 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
> 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
> 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
> 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
> 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
> 3:1 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,
> 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct.
> 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—
> 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.
> 5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands,
> 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.
> 7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Observation Questions

1. According to Peter, what does it mean to live as “sojourners and exiles” in this world? ([44:41])
2. What specific behaviors does Peter urge believers to abstain from, and why? ([47:03])
3. How does Peter describe the purpose of submitting to governing authorities, even when they are unjust? ([53:16])
4. In the passage about marriage, what are the instructions given to both wives and husbands? ([01:05:28])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Peter connect honorable conduct among non-believers with the possibility that they might “glorify God on the day of visitation”? What does this suggest about the impact of our daily lives? ([49:05])
2. How does the example of Christ’s submission and suffering shape the way Christians are called to respond to unjust treatment? ([01:02:27])
3. What is the difference between biblical submission and blind obedience, especially in the context of authority and the home? ([01:10:23])
4. Why does Peter emphasize mutual accountability and honor within marriage, rather than a hierarchy of value or worth? ([01:11:47])

Application Questions

1. Peter calls believers to see themselves as exiles and sojourners. In what areas of your life do you feel most “at home” in the world, and where do you feel like an outsider because of your faith? How does this affect your choices and attitudes? ([44:41])
2. Think about a recent situation where you were tempted to react out of anger, frustration, or another “passion of the flesh.” How could you have responded differently in a way that reflected honorable conduct? ([47:03])
3. Submission to authority is described as an act of worship and trust in God’s sovereignty. Is there an authority in your life (government, workplace, family) that you struggle to respect or submit to? What would it look like to submit “for the Lord’s sake” in that situation? ([53:16])
4. The sermon made clear that submission does not mean enduring abuse or injustice without seeking help. If you or someone you know is in an unhealthy or abusive situation, what steps could you take to seek safety and accountability? ([01:10:23])
5. Husbands are called to lead with understanding and honor, and wives are called to submit willingly as an act of worship to God. For those who are married, what is one practical way you can better honor your spouse this week? ([01:11:47])
6. When facing opposition or criticism for your faith, how can you let your words, actions, and attitudes reflect Christ rather than simply defending yourself or fighting back? ([01:22:59])
7. The sermon challenged us to be a visible testimony so that others might be drawn to Christ. Who in your life is watching your example, and how might your conduct influence their view of God? ([49:05])